Softball Blanks Tar Heels in Game One, 3-0

Saturday, April 21

Raleigh, N.C.

1:00 PM

NC State

37-16, 11-5

North Carolina

41-13, 10-5

North Carolina

NC State

4/21/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. NC State extended its school-record winning streak to 13-straight with a 3-0 win over rival No. 22 North Carolina in the first of two games at the Walnut Creek Softball Complex on Saturday, April 21. Abbie Sims (23-5) struck out seven and allowed just three hits, while Lisa Norris (23-9) took the loss. With the win, NC State moves to 37-16 (11-5 ACC), while the Tar Heels fall to 41-13 (10-5 ACC).

Cassie Palmer struck out but took first on a passed ball to open the game, and then moved to second on a sac-bunt from Breanna Brown. But Casey Testa drilled a liner to second baseman Kristine Bechtholdt, who quickly tossed the ball to Shanna Smith at short, where Palmer was forced out before returning to the bag.

The Pack threatened in the top of the fourth, but failed to do any damage. Blair Harkey got the Pack’s first hit of the game with a chopper over third to lead off the inning and Jen Chamberlin followed with a line drive base hit back to Norris in the circle. Allison Presnell then went down swinging and Chamberlin moved to second, but Harkey was tagged out attempting to swipe third. Norris then got Smith swinging to end the inning.

In the top of the fifth, Norris drew a one-out walk and was replaced on the basepath by Marissa May. Anna Evans then sent a single through the right side, sliding May to second. Sims responded by fanning Allen, but a passed ball to Joslin Higgins allowed runners to move to second and third. The Tar Heels failed to capitalize, however, as Higgins sent a grounder to first baseman Lisa Nentwig, who tagged the bag for the third out.

State didn’t allow another scoring opportunity to slip away in the bottom of the fifth, putting up two runs. Sims drew a free pass to start things off, and Krystal Hawkins took her place at first. A well-placed sac bunt from Miranda Ervin down the third base line allowed Hawkins to take second before Megan Dalthorp pushed her to third with a single through the left side. Bechtholdt then loaded the bases with an infield single to third.

A wild pitch to Gelbard followed, allowing all runners to advance and giving the Pack a 1-0 lead. Gelbard eventually drew a walk, loading the bases again for pinch-hitter Jennifer Patterson who fouled out. But Dalthrop crossed the plate after Palmer made the catch on Patterson’s foul ball, giving State another run.

The Wolfpack grabbed another run on two hits in the bottom of the sixth. Presnell got things going with a bloop single into shallow left field, and then took second on a sac-bunt towards third from Smith. A fly out to deep right field by Sims then pushed Presnell to third. Ervin then sent another blooper into right field, scoring Presnell and giving the Pack a 3-0 lead.

NC State and North Carolina will play game two beginning around 3 p.m.